International Students

International students on F-1 and
J-1 visas are required to maintain valid visa status throughout their stay at
Fuller Seminary. To do so they must comply with all federal regulations
pertaining to their visa status including, but not limited to, registering for
a full course load each academic quarter. At this time, the J-1 visa is only
available for study at the seminary’s Pasadena campus while the F-1 visa is
available at the Pasadena and Colorado campuses.

Fuller Seminary considers any student who is not a citizen or legal permanent resident
of the United States and studying at Fuller with a non-immigrant visa to be an
“international student”. Fuller Seminary is a SEVIS approved school, authorized
by the USCIS to issue certificate of eligibility documents for the F-1 student
visa (I-20) and the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa (DS-2019

International students who need
either an I-20 or a DS-2019 form to apply for a student visa must be accepted
for admission to Fuller and provide a financial guarantee for themselves and
all dependents who will accompany them to the United States. The financial
guarantee must be from the source(s) that will actually provide the funds for
the student’s study and living expenses. This can be done by: (a) showing that
they are sponsored by a responsible Christian organization which will commit
itself to guarantee the necessary support and round-trip transportation for the
student and his or her dependents (if they are to accompany the student to the
seminary); or (b) demonstrating by a letter from a bank or savings institution
that the student has on deposit sufficient funds to cover tuition, other school
fees, living expenses for the student and family, and round-trip airfare; or
(c) providing the same proof from other individuals or organizations who wish
to contribute to the student's support. If the dependents are remaining in
their home country, the seminary strongly recommends that appropriate financial
arrangements be made to care for them during the entire time the student is
away, in addition to the student's expenses in the United States.

International applicants who
require either an F-1 or J-1 visa should submit their applications at least six
months prior to the quarter in which they intend to enroll. The application
file should be completed (including transcripts, financial guarantees, etc.) at
least 90 days before the student’s planned date of arrival to allow sufficient
time for the visa application process. International applicants are required to
submit official documentation of all postsecondary (college level) education.

Appropriate visa documents (I-20
or DS-2019) will be sent to the student upon admission to the Seminary and
receipt of an acceptable financial guarantee. The student may be required to
deposit in advance to the seminary a portion of the financial guarantee to
ensure that sufficient funds are available for initial housing and registration
expenses upon the student's arrival in the United States. Questions regarding
visas should be addressed to the International Services Office, by phone at
626-584-5396, by fax at 626-584-5308, or by email at iso@fuller.edu.

International
students on F-1 and J-1 visas are required to maintain valid
immigration status (including, but not limited to, full-time enrollment)
throughout their stay at Fuller in order to remain in good standing
with the seminary. These visas are only available for study at the
seminary's Pasadena campus.